The State 4-H Equine Education Advisory Committee recently met and finalized the 2008 State 4-H Horse Classic events. Here’s some highlights of their decisions:

1. The Educational Contests will be held on April 5 & 6 at CSU Fresno. Entries will be due March 1^st. All participants must be enrolled in the 4-H horse project by February 5^th to be a contestant. The schedule will be as follows:

Saturday, April 5 Hippology AM & PM

Horse Judging PM

Demonstrations & Public Speaking EVE

Sunday, April 6 Horse Bowl AM & PM

Further information, rules and entry forms will be posted on the 4-H equine web within two weeks.

2. The State Championship 4-H Horse Show will be held June 27-29 at the Santa Cruz Fairgrounds in Watsonville. Entries will be due June 1^st. There will be no qualifying requirement to enter. All participants must be a 4-H horse project member and own/lease their horse at least 120 days prior to the event (February 28, 2008). Further information should be posted on the 4-H equine web site by early January. The schedule will be as follows:

Thursday, June 26 Arrival and warm ups

Friday, June 27 English Flat and Over Fences

Saturday, June 28 Western Flat

Sunday, June 29 Gymkhana

Monday, June 30 Depart by 12 noon

3. We are looking for judges for the horse show that enjoy working with youth. If you have any recommendations for judges for the horse show, please contact Jeanne George at 530-527-3101 or e-mail at jlgeorge@ucdavis.edu. We would like to confirm judges by January 1^st. Judges need to be affiliated with CSHA or USEF (United State Equestrian Foundation, Inc.) or a breed association. This 4-H Horse Show will be adhering to the CSHA rulebook for all classes including gymkhana.

State 4-H Classic Updates

Classic entries are due soon! Remember, no late entries for the horse show or educational events will be accepted after June 10th. Postmarks are OK. We will be depositing all entry fee checks after June 10th so early entries would really help with the bookkeeping!

Be sure to read completely the Classic Rules. Here's the direct link to the PDF file on the web page:

http://ca4h.org/projresource/horse/2007Forms/ContestRules/StateClassicRules2007A.pdf

A few major changes for 2007:

All participants must file a "Chaperone Form" identifying a certified 4-H leader as their chaperone for this 4-H event. If your project leader plans not to attend, any 4-H certified leader may fill this role. A parent must be a certified 4-H leader to be your official chaperone. Therefore, if your parent is attending with you, have them contact your local 4-H office to complete a 4-H adult application, orientation and fingerprint clearance TODAY so they can assume this role. At all 4-H events, 4-Hers must be chaperoned by a certified 4-H leader for accident and liability coverage. In addition, we want contact information for all participants in case of schedule changes, emergencies, etc. during the show.
Please note that the pony divisions are for any equine 14.2 hands or less. If you have a POA, CGA or similar card verifying height, you do not need to be measured the day of the show. Be sure to make a copy of the verification card and submit with your entries.
If you enter the novice or green horse divisions, the rider/horse combination is not eligible for the over fences or gymkhana divisions or any medal class.
Read carefully the 'code of conduct' for this event. See page 4-5.

There will be several vacancies on the State 4-H Equine Education Advisory Committee for teens, adult volunteers and staff. A position description and application are available at

http://ca4h.org/projresource/horse/committee.asp.

Applications are due June 30, 2007. If you have any questions, please e-mail or call.

Jeannette "Jeanne" George 4-H Youth Development Advisor, Tehama & Glenn Counties
530-527-3101 530-527-0917 FAX e-mail: jlgeorge @ ucdavis,edu

We are in the beginning stages of forming a group that will focus on Horse project issues. The group’s purpose will be to explore possibilities of bringing back Horse Mastership and to help create a Horse Policy Handbook, or something similar. The information will be distributed to everyone involved with Horses. We need your input if you’re new to the horse project area or if you are an expert, anyone interested in helping out is welcomed! Please contact me at the office (714) 708-1612 or by email rytaylor@ucdavis.edu and if you feel you have something constructive to offer.

Rachel Taylor, 4-H Program Rep., Orange County